In hopes of preventing celebratory couch fires, city officials are declaring off-campus housing near the University of Kentucky an emergency area.

The notice takes effect at 9 a.m. Thursday and ends at 9 a.m. April 7, starting with the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 and continuing through the Final Four, according to a news release from the Division of Code Enforcement.

In 2012, State Street was the epicenter of nonstop partying after UK beat the University of Louisville in the Final Four before winning the title. Trash bins, couches and other items, including an overturned car, were burned. Last year, when UK lost to Connecticut in the title game, was a bit calmer — no cars were burned, but bottles were thrown.

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